Another week in the books, and this one was defined by a narrow loss and a loud response. A frustrating midweek defeat showed how fragile timing and chemistry can be during transition, while Sunday’s performance delivered a clear reminder of what this group looks like when things click. With new faces arriving and injured players returning, the Oil Kings used the week to recalibrate. Fewer games on the schedule didn’t mean fewer answers, just fewer chances to hide from them.
The focus shifted away from results and toward cohesion. Wednesday looked like a team still trying to sort itself out, with missed passes, blown plays, and turnovers undoing a game Edmonton largely controlled. By Sunday, the picture had changed. The Oil Kings looked more connected, more decisive, and far more comfortable with one another, cleaning up many of the issues that plagued them earlier in the week.
This week the Oil Kings are headed for the start of a 5-game Southern road trip with stops in Calgary, Moose Jaw, and Swift Current. Before we get there, let’s catch up on what you may have missed in the last week.
Team Stats
The Oil Kings powerplay connected on opportunities in each game, going 2 for 8 for the week, as they continue to try to improve on their early season powerplay struggles. They now sit at 20.4% for the year, which is in the bottom third of the league. If they want to go on a long playoff run, this is their key spot to continue to grow as special teams can make or break a playoff team.
The Penalty Kill is on the complete opposite side of the coin, as they killed off 8 out of 9 chances for the opposition and are a stellar 81.4% on the season. While I’ve spent a lot of the year frustrated at the Oil Kings steady stream of undisciplined penalties, it is promising to know that this team has the leaders and the penalty kill to overcome those mistakes. Another shorthanded goal this past week has Edmonton sitting at 9 on the season, tied for the most in the league.
The Oil Kings finished the week 1-1-0-0, with both games happening on home ice. Wednesday’s loss to Regina came despite Edmonton firing 42 shots, many of them from the outside, allowing the Pats goaltender clean looks and the opportunity to settle in. Sunday’s win against Saskatoon was another high shot game, as the team fired 39 against the Blades, but this time they made those chances count and were all over the second and third chance shots in the Saskatoon zone. They finish the week still firmly in 3rd place in the Eastern Conference, 3 points behind the Medicine Hat Tigers, and now 7 points behind the surging first-place Prince Albert Raiders.
On the schedule this week, first up is a Wednesday night in Calgary against those Hitmen. Calgary has been on a streak of its own, as they’ve managed to climb their way up into 4th place in the East, and are 12 points behind the Oil Kings. Friday night will be a stop in Moose Jaw to take on the Warriors who currently sit in 7th place, battling for their playoff lives. Saturday the team stops off in Swift Current for what may be another high-scoring outing against the last place Broncos.
Player Stats - Leaders
Ethan MacKenzie stepped up this week as the powerplay quarterback and the scoring leader. He scored both of the teams powerplay goals, en route to finishing the week with a 4 point total. MacKenzie has been excellent since returning from the World Juniors, picking up where he left off to lead this defense. Even while adjusting to a new partner in Carter Sotheran, his game appears energized and assertive.
Forward Dylan Dean made a surprise return on Wednesday, and provided a spark for the team with the first goal of the game. After the hit he took last week, it was a massive relief to see him back in the lineup without any lingering effects. Expectations were that he was going to miss a lot of time after the way he got hit, so everyone is grateful to see him healthy.
Also at 2 points for the week, Noa Ta’amu scored his 2nd goal of the season and 2nd of the past week to go with an assist. Matt Williams was the hero on Sunday, scoring his 1st goal of the season and adding an assist on his 18th birthday for the best gift of all.
Adam Jecho and Rhys Pederson both made their anticipated return from injury for Wednesday’s game against Regina but both were held out of Sunday’s game for unknown reasons. Hopefully their absence was precautionary rather than another setback.
Parker Snell and Ethan Simcoe each took one start this week. Snell allowed 4 goals on 29 shots against Regina, and Simcoe allowed 1 goal on 21 shots against Saskatoon. Snell’s start was a tough one, as 2 of his 4 goals against were the result of turnovers giving Regina breakaways or odd-man rushes against him. Simcoe was headed towards his first shutout of the season on Sunday, but unfortunately came up six and a half minutes short when a blueline turnover allowed the Blades a breakaway chance to break the zero. Both goalies continue to put the team in position to win every game, and are establishing themselves as one of the strongest duos in the league.
Milestones
Miroslav Holinka’s goal on Wednesday was his 4th shorthanded goal of the season. This ties the Oil Kings single-season record for most shorthanded goals. He is now tied with Travis Ewanyk, Brett Pollock, and Quinn Benjafield for this record. These 4 shorthanded goals have also tied him with Gavin Hodnett and Landon Hanson in the race for most career shorthanded goals for the Oil Kings.
Matt Williams' goal on Sunday was his first career WHL goal. A beauty of a tip on an Ethan MacKenzine point shot, to give the 2008-born winger an 18th birthday to remember in his 20th WHL game.
Noa Ta’amu’s goal on Sunday may not have seemed like much, but being his second goal of the season this has set a new personal best with 2 goals in the season. With the goal and assist Sunday, he also surpassed his personal best points total from last season, in less games than he played last year.
Noa Ta’amu, along with Andrew O’Neill, Dylan Dean, and Ethan MacKenzie were all announced this week to be representing the Edmonton Oil Kings in the WHL Prospect Showcase on February 18th. Congratulations go out to all 4 players for well deserved recognition this year.
Injury Updates
The biggest shock of the week was seeing Dylan Dean return from injury after only missing 2 games. Adam Jecho and Rhys Pederson also made their returns on Wednesday night..
- Luke Powell continues to be out indefinitely with a listed Upper body injury. He has not played since November 2nd against the Swift Current Broncos.
- Max Curran continues to be out with a listed upper body injury after leaving the January 14th game clutching his arm/wrist. He was listed as TBD on this week's Roster Report.
- Miroslav Holinka left Sunday's game with 4 minutes remaining in the first and never returned. His final shift saw him throw a hit and absorb a hit, but both looked rather inconspicuous. He left the ice during a puck stoppage, and Kayden Stroeder took the next shift between Lukas Sawchyn and Gavin Hodnett. He is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
- Austin Zemlak took a few big hits at the end of the 1st period, he returned to start the 2nd period for a couple shifts before blocking a big shot on the penalty kill midway through the 2nd. He went down the tunnel and never returned. He is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
Roil Reserves
There were no roster movements this week, allowing players to remain with their respective teams and continue their development. The big news out of the week was Edmonton officially signing Ezekiel “Zeke” Kaebel to a development contract. Zeke has been excellent in the US AAA system this year. He put up another 3 points in 3 games this past week, to bring his season totals to 80 points in 53 games. His work ethic and defensive responsibility make him an exciting future addition.
The AJHL Showcase took over the Downtown Community Arena inside Rogers Place on Wednesday, and Tucker Tullikopf got the privilege to play for the Camrose Kodiaks as the only AJHL Oil King representative in the showcase. He put up 1 assist in the Showcase game, and then added 2 more points over the weekend. He is now at 41 points through 38 games and sits second on Camrose in scoring. Jensen Marsh took part in the AJHL Showcase in Red Deer for Drumheller, and also put up an assist. Matching Tullikopf’s showing, Marsh also added 2 points over the weekend for a 3 point week. He now has 20 points in 30 games in the AJHL this year. Presley Kerner had 5 games with the Olds Grizzlies, and scored himself 1 goal and 2 assists to bring his season total to 10 points in 27 games.The Olds Grizzlys did not get to participate in the AJHL Showcase at all, but still put up 1 points in 3 games this week. He’s at 11 points in 32 games for Olds now this year.
The CSSHL trio each had their teams play 1 game this week. Cole Landreville was absent from Pilot Mound Hockey’s 9-3 victory, leaving him at 18 points through 17 games played. Chris Kokkoris added an assist in his lone game, to bring him up to 5 points in 7 games on the year. Holden Wouters added 2 assists in his one game, upping his season total to 15 points in 19 games.
Reserve Pulse Check:
- Kayson Anderson had a quiet week with 0 points in 2 games for the Estevan Bears (SMAAAHL). He now has 31 points in 34 games played.
- Carter Nash has added some quality starts recently, and improved on his already strong numbers for the year. He now has a 38-12-0 record with 9 shutouts over 46 starts for the Honeybaked 15U AAA program, and a spectacular 1.83 GAA.
The Oil Kings now head out on the road with encouraging signs of chemistry beginning to form. Wednesday in Calgary presents a major test against a Hitmen team that has upset Edmonton twice this season. Friday in Moose Jaw offers a chance to replicate prior success against the Warriors, while Saturday in Swift Current brings another challenge against a Broncos team that has consistently pushed Edmonton to the limit.
Things to watch for:
- With another goal Wednesday, Miroslav Holinka is now 2 goals away from the single-season goals by an Import record, currently held by Edgars Kulda.
- Holinka is also now tied for first in most shorthanded goals in a season for the Oil Kings, 1 more will give him the record.
- Holinka, Landon Hanson, and Gavin Hodnett each have 4 career shorthanded goals, and sit 2 away from the Franchise record of 6.
- Ethan MacKenzie is the next Oil King eying a major points milestone. With a 4 point week he is now at 89 career points, as his current pace has him headed towards his 100th point in the near future.
- With the unfortunate injuries to Holinka and Zemlak, keep your eyes out for Adam Jecho and Rhys Pederson to get back into the lineup during the upcoming road trip.